BBB Pulp Pick - Captain Marvel

Continuing the story of Fawcett Publications ... after huge growth of magazine development and sales during the early 1930s, Wilford Fawcett's sons continued the expansion of the company into the 1940s. One example: in 1940 the company launched Fawcett Comics.

Created by artist C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940). With a premise that taps adolescent fantasy, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a youth who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by the wizard Shazam. Whenever Billy speaks the wizard's name, he instantly is struck by a magic lightning bolt that transforms him into an adult superhero empowered with the abilities of six legendary figures. Several friends and family members, most notably Marvel Family cohorts Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr., can share Billy's power and become "Marvels" themselves.

Related BBB Articles:
01/15/2007 - Capt Billy's Whiz Bang
01/22/2007 - Smokehouse Monthly
01/29/2007 - Modern Mechanics and Inventions
02/05/2007 - True Confessions